CC - Item 6A - Discussion on Assembly Bill 2529 - Civil Claims: Public Employees: PerjuryROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGERIV
DATE: APRIL 14, 2026
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION ON ASSEMBLY BILL 2529 - CIVIL CLAIMS: PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES: PERJURY
SUMMARY
Council Member Ly requested a discussion on Assembly Bill (AB) 2529 - Civil claims: public
employees: perjury.
DISCUSSION
AB 2529 - Civil claims: public employees: perjury, is a bill that would require current or former
public employees to verify, under penalty of perjury, any claim or lawsuit seeking monetary
damages against their public employer. If a claim appears fraudulent, the employer must refer it to
the district attorney for possible prosecution. On April 8, 2026, the California Contract Cities
Association (CCCA) voted to support the bill at their Legislative Committee meeting. CCCA
advised the bill is expected to be amended from requiring the claimant to submit a penalty of
perjury to simply requiring a declaration that the contents are true upon the claimant's information
and belief at the time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council discuss and provide direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
Daysi ganchez
Management Analyst
Attachment A: Assembly Bill 2529
Attachment B: Sample Support Letter
Submitted by:
Amanda Moreno
Administrative Services Manager
AGENDA ITEM 6.A
Attachment A
Assembly Bill 2529
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2025-26 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 2529
Introduced by Assembly Member Johnson
February 20, 2026
An act to add Section 448 to the Code of Civil Procedure, and to add
Section 945.7 to the Government Code, relating to civil procedure.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2529, as introduced, Johnson. Civil claims: public employees:
perjury.
Existing law, the Government Claims Act, governs the tort liability
and immunity of, and claims and actions against, public entities, officers,
and employees.
Existing law defines the pleadings in a civil action as the formal
allegations by the parties of their respective claims and defenses for the
judgment of the court. Existing law requires the verification of certain
civil claims and requires the verification of answers to certain verified
complaints. Existing law provides that a person verifying a pleading
need not swear to the truth or their belief in the truth of the matters
stated therein but may, instead, assert the truth or their belief in the truth
of those matters under penalty of perjury.
This bill would require a civil complaint or cross -complaint filed by
an employee or former employee of a public agency seeking monetary
damages against the public agency for acts or omissions arising out of
or relating to the employment relationship to be verified under penalty
of perjury. The bill would require a court to grant a motion to strike the
complaint or cross -complaint if the complaint or cross -complaint is not
verified by the plaintiff or cross -complainant, as provided.
99
AB 2529 — 2
This bill would require a claim presented in accordance with the
Government Claims Act by an employee or former employee of a public
entity seeking monetary damages against the public entity for acts or
omissions arising out of or relating to the employment relationship to
include a declaration signed by the claimant under penalty of perjury
verifying the core factual allegations supporting the claim. The bill
would also require public agency to make a report to the appropriate
district attorney if the public agency concludes that there is substantial
evidence the person who made the claim committed perjury in signing
the claim, and would authorize the district attorney to investigate and
take action, as appropriate.
By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a
state -mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 448 is added to the Code of Civil
2 Procedure, immediately following Section 446, to read:
3 448. (a) Notwithstanding Section 446, a civil complaint or
4 cross -complaint filed by an employee or former employee of a
5 public agency seeking monetary damages against the public agency
6 for acts or omissions arising out of or relating to the employment
7 relationship shall be verified under penalty of perjury.
8 (b) If the public agency files a motion to strike the complaint
9 or cross -complaint pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with
10 Section 435) on the grounds the complaint or cross -complaint is
11 not verified by the plaintiff or cross -complainant, the court shall
12 grant the motion if the court concludes the complaint or
13 cross -complaint was not verified as required by this section.
14 Notwithstanding Section 436, granting of a motion to strike on the
15 grounds the complaint or cross -complaint is not verified by the
16 plaintiff or cross -complainant is mandatory and is not subject to
17 the court's discretion.
99
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
—3—
AB 2529
SEC. 2. Section 945.7 is added to the Government Code, to
read:
945.7. (a) A claim presented in accordance with Chapter 1
(commencing with Section 900) and Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 910) of Part 3 by an employee or former employee of a
public entity seeking monetary damages against the public entity
for acts or omissions arising out of or relating to the employment
relationship shall include a declaration signed by the claimant
under penalty of perjury verifying the core factual allegations
supporting the claim.
(b) If the public agency concludes, after investigation of the
claim, that there is substantial evidence the person who made the
claim committed perjury in signing the claim, the public agency
shall make a report presenting that evidence to the appropriate
district attorney, and the district attorney may, in their discretion,
investigate and take action with respect to the person who filed
the claim as it concludes is appropriate.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.
U
99
Attachment B
Support Letter
ADD LETTERHEAD
[Date]
The Honorable [Chair/Member Name]
[Committee Name]
[Address]
RE: SUPPORT — AB 2529 Civil Claims: Public Employees: Perjury.
Dear [Chair/Member Name]:
On behalf of [City/Organization Name], I write to express support for AB 2529, which would
require that claims submitted under the Government Claims Act include a declaration that the
contents are true and correct to the best of the claimant's knowledge and belief.
This measure provides a reasonable and narrowly tailored improvement to the claims process by
promoting accuracy and accountability at the earliest stage. By clarifying expectations for claim
submissions, AB 2529 helps public agencies more effectively evaluate claims, encourages early
resolution where appropriate, and supports the responsible stewardship of public resources.
For these reasons, the City of Rosemead respectfully supports AB 2529.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Title]
[City/Organization Name]